Card-index system.



J. H. RAND, .In

I l CARD lNDEX SYSTEMf APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18. igl4 l l ,2?225. Patented July 1b, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

LH. HAND, 1R.

CARD INDEX SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18. I9I5.

Patented July 1G, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEEI` H UNITED STATES PATENT (')EEICE.`

4Jannes H; nANbfJR., 'oF NORTH TONAWANDA, 4NEW YORK.

CARD-INDEX SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Ifatent. b Patented 6, 1918',i

l Application tiled September 18, 1915. Serial No. 51,439.l

To all whom it may conce-rn:

Be itknown that l', JAMES H. RAND, Jr., a citizen of t he United States, and resident. oli North Tonawanda, in the county of 5 Niagara and State of New York. have vinvented new and useful Improvements in Card-Index Systems, of which the following is aspecitieation.

This invention relaties to card index systems of the overlapping card ltype, and

consists primarily in a series of cards havin Lr tongues so disposed that when the' several cards of the series are assembled' and nested, as hereinafter described, the cards will he interloched by said tongues, and will also be supported and spaced one. above another, with their margins exposed, by reason of the nested and interlocked 'relation "of the several` cards and tongues. These and associated features will hereinafter be more fully described and particu.

larly pointedoiitinthe claims..

l'n tht accompanying drawings which illustrate certain embodiments of the inven tion,-

Figure 1 is a face view, partly broken away, of several cards embodying the invention, mounted in a frame;

Fig. 2 is an elevation ofthe reverse side vof the interlocked cards shown in Fig. 1;`

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig'.v 2; I Fig. tis a perspective view of o ne of the .individual cards 'of the kind shown in Figs,

1&0 3; L Fig. isa perspective `view of a moditied form of card;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View of a series of interlocked cards of the kind shown in 40 fig. I is a face view, partly brokenaway, of' a Series of cards of another form mounted in aframe;

Fig. 8. is a perspective view'of one of the individual cards shown` in Fig.

Fig.. 9 is a sectional view of a. series of cards of the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a card containine still another modification.

In cart' systems of the overlapping card type as heretofore used, the cardsare s uppoi'ted by 'and hinged to bars orstrips, which serve both as supports and spacers, said bars or strips being held at their ends in the guide channels of a'suitable frame.

Inthev present'invention `the overlapping cards are provided witlitongues which sup port the cards one above another and space the cards relatively toeacli othei,'and whichV also interlock the'eards in such manner that when the cards areA assembled no card can be removed from the series. This construe: tion prevents the abstraction, j'either' throuwh accident or design, of any card-from the series, dispenses with the necessity of relatively heavy and costly supporting and spacing bars, and"if desired admits of form- `ing the card with its supportingand spacing means out. of an integral sheet of paper,

cardboard, or the like. .When the cardsare lnounted in a lian ed frame they are provided with lateral y extending projections to engage the guide flanges of the lframe, but as such projections do not-'peifoim the functions of spacing and supporting the cards one above another, as do the` Sup-4 porting bars heretofore used, they may be made of comparatively li ht material, such as the material of tholcar itself, sineef'the have merely to piei'eiit-'tlie'cai'ds from fal ing out of the frame. Each card is` also preferably. hinged in'v the manner hereinafter explained to facilitate inspection.

Referring first to the form shown in Figs.

41 to 1, A'represents a frame of usual construction, ha-ving inwardlyturned guide flanges a. Aforming channels to receive the l -laterally extending project-ions of the cards.

Each card l is made with one or more tongues 7; (two such tongues being shown 1n the figures under discussion) the base `of \vliich is spaced from one edge of the card, while the tongue extends approximately llatwise of thc-'card toward the opposed edge of the card. These tongues are `preferably V-shapcd in form and may be eut out. ot', and integral with the body of the card. lVhen the several cards' of a series are assembled the margin of each card B is nested between the tongue or tongues and the. body oi' the next adjacent gard in the series. 'lhus the cards are spaced by said tongues relatively one to another wit-li their margins projecting beyond one another, asv

best. shown i'nFigs. 1 and 2, and the cards are, also relatively interlocked by said tongues. The. base of each tongue, spaced from one edge of the card, constitutes the line on which the card is' supportedby, and spaced relatively to, its neighbor.

Instead of mounting the cards in the Vframe as shown in Fig. 1, they might be mounted 2. i 1,272,525 i i iu [reverse msition as shown in Fio. 2 in which ease the upper exposed margins insteadot' the lower margins, would be used t'oil naines or other indexed matter; or the cards could be iuerely inverted top for bottoni` with either the obverse or reverse Side facing outward, in which case the overlapping cai-ds would be upstaniling instead of downliaiiging.

'l`o facilitate manipulation andin'speetion ot' theeards, cach is made with a hinge b', .connecting the portion of the card which carries the tongue or tongues rwith the free. portion or fiap portion. The hinge is pretfe1'ahly iliade integrally ot' the card itself by means ot' a crease, or other weakened portion, and is located in the body of the card within the. area limited by the line of support passing through the base ot the tongue or tongues, that is, the hinge is at or below said line of support, so that `the hinged part of th'e card may he swung on the relatively fixed part ot' thc. card which carries the tongue or tongues without moving or atfecting the position of the tongues. In Figs. lto #L the hinge I; i's located in a line somewhat removed from the base of the tongues and just. beyond or substantially coincident. with the ends of the tongues, so

that no part. of a card which is oiverlapped.

by a tongue will be swung on the liinge-a construction particularly advantageous when the cards are used in the position shown in In the iiioditication shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the cards B2 are identical with those of Figs. l tod save that the hinge'b2 instead of 'being removed from a line passing through the base of the tongues b, is substantially in that line, and is therefore still located within and not beyond the area liinited by that line.

Referring now to the forni shown lin Fi rs.

.7, Sand 9, the card B3 isfolded over at e L 'ends as has hereto ore been necessary.

f I claim.:

top, and the fold secured to the body'of the card-by suitable means such as a. 4line of The free edge of the fold beyond staples c. the staples constitutes a single tongue bathe base of which isdetermined by the fastenin'" means c spaced from the proximate edge o the car ,-while the tongue extends substan#l tially atwise of the card toward the oppo# site edge. The cards are nested and interlocked as already described, insertingthe margin of one card between t e tongue and. body of tlieinex't card. The tongues bs per. form the same functions as the tongues Z) of `the other forni. Although the tongues b3 are preferably made integral with the card bodiesand folded over, they might be made of separate pieces .of 4paper or other sheet material fastened tothe card bodies in the position shown. The'hinge in the card is shown -at 7) a little removed from the base of the tongue b. v

flanges a ot' the traine; These projections d.'

are preferably formed of the same sheet material as 'therard itself, and integral therewith, and extend laterally from each end of vthat margin of the" card which lies between the hasel of the tongues and the proximate edge of the card. The rojection need not be of stout material like the-supporting and spacing bars of overlapping -cai'd index systems heretofore used, sinceA they are required merely to prevent 'the cai-ds from falling` out of the frame while the weight of the cards upon. one another is supported, and the spacing is eti'ected,'by the tongues.

In order to afford additional interlocking means, each projection d may be made wider in its .vertical dimension than thedistance between the. base of the tongue and the proximate edge of the card, so that rsuccessive proj ections overlap one another under the guide flange' a, as shown in Figs. 1, and "T, whennthc series of cards is assembled in the frame.

In the modification shown in Fig. 10, the

cardB, the folded over tongue b and the' art may be iislight and slender as desired, and

need' not have 'an spacing devices at its' .1. In a card system, a series ofoverlapping-cards, eac-h having a tongue, the base :bt-saidtongue being spaced ,from one edge ofthe card and the tongue extending from fits'bnsa toward the opposite edge of the card, each card being provided with a. hinge connecting that portion of the card'carryng l'the tongue and the body of the card and the marginof each card being nested between the tongue and' body of the next card in the series, whereby said cards are interlocked by said tongues and are spaced by said tongues relatively to one another with their margins projecting one beyond another.

2. In a, card system, a series of overlapping cards, each .having a tongue, the base of said tongue being spaced from one edge of the card and the tongue extending from- -its base -toward the opposite edge of the card, each card being provided l'with a hinge oo nnectin the portion carrying the tongue Y with the a portion and-located within the area limite by aline passing'throughthc base ofthe tongue, and the free edge-of the card, and the margin of each card being v. nested between the tongue and body of the next card in the series,`whereby saidI cards 'are iterlocked by said tongues and are spaced by said tongues relatively to one another with their margins projecting one beyond another.

3. InI a card system, a serie-s iV overlap' plng cards, cach `having a tongue, the base moved from the base of the tongue and between the base of the. tongue and the free edge of the card, and the marginpf each card being nested between the tongue and body of the next card in Ithe series, whereby said cards are interlocked by said tongues and are spaced .by said tongues relatively to' one lbeyond another.

one another with their marginsprojecting' f4. In a card system,` a serie of overla ping cards, each having a ton ue, the ba e of said tongue..beingspaced from one edge of the card and the tongue extending from `its b ase toward the opposite edge of the card, each card being provided with a hinge formed by a'. crease in the body of the card within the area limited by a line passing through the base' of the tongue, and th 'g' free edge of the card, said cards bein locked by said tongues and spaced y said 'ntertongues relatively to one another with their, margins projecting one beyond another.

5. In a card system, a series of overlap-` ping cards, Yeach having a tongue formed integrally lof the same sheet material as the card, the base of said tongue being .spaced from one edge of the card and the tongue extending from .its base toward the opposite edge of the card, each card being provided with a hinge connecting that portion of the card carrying the tongue and the body of the card and` the margin of each card being nested between the tongue and body of the next card in the series, whereby said cards are interlocked by said tongues and are spaced by said tongues relatively to one another with their margins projecting one beyond another. "(3. In a card system, a series of overlapping cards, each having a tongue cut out of the body of the card, the base of said tongue being spaced from one edge of the card and the tongue extending from its base toward the opposite edge of the card, each card being provided with @hinge connecting that portion of the card carrying the tongue-'and theA body of the card and the-margin of each card being nested betweenthe tonguefand body of the next card in theseries, whereby and are spacedb'y said tongues relatively to one another-with their margins projecting one beyond another.

7. In a card system, a series of overlap-I ping cards, each .having atongue formed integrally of the same sheet material as .the card, the base of said tongue being spaced from-one edge-of thecard and the-tongueextending from its base t'owardthe oppositejsaid cards are4 interlocked' by said tonguesv edge of the card, andthe margin of each' card being nested between the tongue and body of the next card in the series,:whereby 'IIS'A 'said cards are interlocked-by said tongues and are spaced by said tongues relativelyto one another with their margins projectingy vone beyond another, andfa pair oflaterally extending projectionson each card formed.'

integrally ofthe same'sheet material as the 'card adapted to engage a" trama ping cards,- each havinga tongue frmedim from one edge 'of the card andthe tongue ex' tending from its base toward the opposite 8.- In a card system,r a series of overlap-.

`tegrallyof the same sheebmaterial as the card being nested between the tongue land f body of the next'card lin the series, whereby said cards are interlocked by said` tongues and are' spaced by said tongues relatively to one another with their margins projecting one beyond another, and a pair of laterallyA extending projections on each cardadapted "to engage; a frame.

9. In a card system, a series of overlap-f ping cards,eachhaving a tongue, the base of said tongue being 'spaced from one edge of the 'cardand the tongue extending from its base` toward the opposite edge of theicard, and the margin of each card bein nested between the tongueand body of t e next A card in the series, whereby said cards are interlocked by said tonguesan'd are spacedby said tongues relatively to one another" with their margins projecting one beyond another, and laterally extending pro]ect1on's on each card adapted to engage a frame, the

vertical dimension of said projections being greater than the distance between the base of the tongue and the proximate edge of the card, whereby the projections of successive cards overlap whenthe series is assembled 1n a frame.

10. In a card system, a series of overlap.

nested between the tongue and body of the 130 .site ends of that margin of nextcard inf the series, whereby. said cards adapted to engage a frame, extending laterally from opposite ends of that margin of the card lying between the base of the tongue and the proximate edge of the'card.

11. 'A card having a tonguethe base-of'4 which is spaced from one edge of the card, Said tongue extending from its base toward the opposite edge of the card, and a pair of projections extending late rall from oppotiie card lying between thebase of the tongue and the proximate edge of the card.

12. A card having a tongue formed integrally with the card, said tongue having its base spaced from one edge ofthe card and extending from` its base toward the opposite edge o? the card, and a pair of p rojections formed integrally with the card and extending laterally from thtI ends of that margin of the card lying between the base of tie tongue and the proximate edge of the car 13. In a card system, a series of overlapping cards each having a tongue, the base of said tongue being spaced from one edge v of the card and the tongue extending from its base toward the opposite edge of the card, one`margin of each card being confined between the tongue and body of the next card of the series whereby said cards ing one beyond the other, and projections extending laterally from opposite ends of that portion of the .card carrying the tongue and adapted to engage a frame.

14. In a card system, a series of overlapping cards, each having 'a tongue formed integrally of the same sheet material as the card, the base of said tongue being spaced from one edge of the card and the tongue extending from its base toward the oppoare interlocked with their margins projectsiteedge ofthe card, one margin of each card beine' confined between the tongue and bod f 'ofthe next card of the series whereby sai cards are interlocked with their margins projecting one beyond the other, and projections extending laterally from opposite ends of'that portion of the Card carrying the tongue and adapted to engage a vframe. y

15. In a card system, a series of overlapping cards, each having a tongue arranged adjacent to one edge of the c ard and extending toward the opposite' edge of the card, and the margin ofeach card being nested between the tongue and body of' the next card in the series, whereby sald cards are interlocked by said tongues and spaced by said tongues relativoly'to one another with ,their margins projecting o'nebeyond another, and projections exten inor laterally from opposite ends o that edge of each card adjacent tothe tongue and adapted toengage a frame. c ,fr

16. In a card system, a series ofbverlappine cards each having a tonguefthe'base of sai tongue being spaced from, one edge of the card and the tongue extendingirom its base toward the opposite edge of -'the card, one margin of each card bein-gconfined between the tongue and body of the next'cardof the vided with a hinge connecting the body. por- A tion of the card -to the portion thereof carryingthe tongue;l i

Signed by me atNorth ,'Ionawanda,A New York, this llth'day of September, 1915.

JAMES H'. .RA-ND, Jn."

Witnesses: i Faenx. RoBnR'rsomJrf,

LAWRENCE H. Gasen. 

